Rice procurement has increased by 5 per cent to 16.05 million tonnes so far in 2012-13 marketing year that started in October, even as rice output is estimated to decline during Kharif season.
Food Corporation of India (FCI), the nodal agency for procurement and distribution of foodgrains, had bought 15.36 million tonnes of rice in the corresponding period of 2011-12 marketing year, according to an official data.
Rice production is estimated to fall at 85.59 million tonnes in the Kharif season of 2012-13 crop year (July-June) from 91.53 million tonnes.
Punjab has contributed maximum to the total procurement where FCI and other state agencies have procured 8.54 million tonnes of rice till date in 2012-13 marketing year (October- September) against 7.66 million tonnes in the year-ago period.
Procurement in Haryana has reached 2.57 million tonnes till date, whereas Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh have contributed 1.74 million tonnes and 1.39 million tonnes, respectively.